OLD GOA
Various authorities held a joint inspection of the khazan field at Morombi-O-Pequeno in Merces where largescale environmental destruction was reported.
The inspection was conducted on Tuesday with authorities including Tiswadi Mamlatdar K B Dessai, officials from TCP, Forest, PWD, Merces panchayat and others present.
Complainants Manoj Parab of Revolutionary Goans Party, Diana Tavares of Concerned Citizens of Goa and Jose Carmin Joao, attorney of Morombi-O-Pequeno comunidade were also present.
The authorities conducted a panchanama of the unauthorised structure as well as the landfilling area.
However, RGP supremo Manoj Parab took strong exception to the fact that the landfilling measurement was undertaken with the help of a measurement tape.
“It is impossible to pinpoint the exact quantum of such massive landfilling for which special equipment is needed. On an earlier occasion, when the TCP had conducted an inspection, we demanded that they bring such equipment with them,” Parab pointed out.
Morombi-O-Pequeno comunidade attorney Jose Camin Joao also expressed reservations over the way the landfilled area was being measured.
“We can now only hope that the authorities prepare the factual report which should help in getting the land restored,” Joao opined.
Abhijit Prabhudessai of Rainbow Warriors, who was present, also said that when modern equipment is available for undertaking the exercise of measuring the volume of landfilling, they should be used.
“But since now the inspection has been done, we can only hope that something good comes out of it,” Prabhudessai stated.
RGP spokesperson Ajay Kholkar, however, said that the party would not rest till the issue reaches its logical conclusion.
“The way the authorities have shown lethargy in addressing such a serious issue, it appears that some influential persons are involved,” Kholkar said but informed that RGP will continuously follow up on the issue.
“Our MLA Viresh Borkar has already listed the issue for discussion in the forthcoming Assembly session and we are going to take up the same with the ministers and the authorities concerned till the land is restored to its original status,” Kholkar said.
